The sunroom was flooded with afternoon light, making everything look deceptively peaceful. Brielle sat at the small table, a coloring book spread before her, crayons scattered across the surface. But she wasn't coloring. She was just sitting there, staring at nothing, her small face creased with worry far too heavy for such young shoulders.
When she heard footsteps and looked up to see Mira, her entire body went rigid. The crayon in her hand clattered to the table.
"Hi, baby," Mira said softly, her voice breaking on the endearment. She moved slowly, carefully, kneeling down to be at Brielle's eye level. "I've missed you so much."
Brielle's lip trembled, and for a moment, Mira thought she might launch herself into her arms the way she used to. But then the little girl's face hard
